More Cowboys

There’s an old saying in the National Football League that the NFL stands for not for long. Here’s more evidence that’s true.

As has been well documented, the Cowboys only have four players left on their roster from the 2006 through 2009 drafts. Jason Hatcher is the 2006 representative. Anthony Spencer and Doug Free remain from 2007. Orlando Scandrick is all that’s left from 2008. And, the Cowboys are now 0-for-12 in 2009.

But don’t think the Cowboys are the only team that has cornered the market on swinging and missing on draft day. Upon further review, research shows that half the league’s teams have four or fewer players left from those four drafts.

Not surprisingly, Oakland and St. Louis are at the bottom of the attrition heap. Each has only two draft picks from those years still on its roster.

Taking it a step further, a total of 23 NFL teams have five or fewer players remaining from the 2006-09 drafts. Thirty of the 32 teams have seven or less.

Also not surprisingly, Atlanta and Green Bay stand above the rest. Each has a dozen players and nine starters from those four drafts still playing for them. It’s a testament to not only drafting well, but also managing salary caps so they can keep their own draft picks once they reach free agency.